Orioles pregame news and notes: Matt Lindstrom not activated yet

Manager Buck Showalter said Lindstrom, assuming he checks out OK with the medical staff, will be activated Wednesday.

The assumption was that lefty Dana Eveland would be put on paternity leave, giving the Orioles at least three days to juggle their roster when activating Lindstrom.

But Eveland’s son, Asher Perry, was born Saturday night. So Eveland went home to be with his wife and will be back Tuesday night.

Therefore, when Lindstrom, who has been on the disabled list with a torn ligament in his right finger, is activated Wednesday, the Orioles will have to make another 25-man roster move. Showalter said it’s not necessarily going to be a pitcher – it’ll depend some on what happens in tonight’s contest.

Tommy Hunter is in the bullpen for Tuesday, so the Orioles will not be down a reliever. Hunter threw a Sunday bullpen session, and is the leading candidate to pitch Saturday – which is currently listed as TBA.

Showalter said he likely will go with an internal candidate to make that start Saturday versus Cleveland – so Eveland could also be a candidate – but hasn’t ruled out a minor-league promotion. Miguel Gonzalez, who allowed just one run in six innings on Monday, would be on regular rest Saturday.

Right fielder Nick Markakis will not swing a bat until Friday, the earliest, so his return from hamate bone surgery will not be as quick as he was hoping. Showalter said the best-case scenario would be a return for the final series before the All-Star Break, which starts July 5 in Los Angeles.

“It’s frustrating, but that’s the time the body needs to heal up,” Markakis said. “It’s a matter of it healing up and getting the incision closed up all the way. It’s close, a couple more days, hopefully, we’ll see.”

Endy Chavez (hamstring) is not progressing as much as the team had hoped. He is still rehabbing in Sarasota. Taylor Teagarden (back) still expects to begin a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Orioles on July 2 with a potential return to the majors after the All-Star break.

Also, Chris Davis, who is in a 0-for-28 slump, took early batting practice today, getting underhand soft toss from hitting coach Jim Presley. Davis is not in Tuesday’s lineup.